108 



FLOKA OF JAMAICA 



liumex 



2. R. obtusifolius L. Sp. PL 335 (1753); leaves ovate- 

 oblong, becoming lanceolate above, obtuse to acute, base cordate 

 to rounded or obtuse ; whorls of flowers distant in fruit in a 

 long, narrow panicle, leafy below ; flowers hermaphrodite ; valves 

 triangular, with raised reticulation, base with 3 linear-subulate 

 teeth on each side, median nerve with or without a callus. 

 Meisn. torn. cit. 53 ; Lindau he. rit. (Fig. 32.) 



Fig. 32. Ruinex obUisifolius L. 



A, Portion of panicle in fruit. 



B, Flower. 



C, Persistent perianth enclosing fruit. 



D, Fruit with persistent perianth cut 



lengthwise. 



E, Do. cut transversely. 



F, Fruit cut lengthwise at right angles 



toD. 



G. Leaf. 



a, callus ; c, cotyledons ; e, endosperm ; 

 r, radicle. 



Base of Catherine's Peak, 4500 ft., Harris \ Fl. Jam. 7660. Cuba. 

 Widely distributed in the north temperate regions of the Old World, 

 perhaps an introduction in the New World. 



Stem 2-^ it. Leaves I'b-'^ dim.. \. TaZues about 5 mm. 1. 



3. R. Aeetosella L. Sp. PI. 338 (1753) ; leaves oblong to 

 linear or lanceolate (in the Jamaican specimen oblong-elliptical), 

 hastate ; panicle leafless ; flow^ers dicecious ; valves herbaceous, 

 unchanged in fruit, ovate, without callus. Meisn. torn. cit. 63. 



In damp places along roadside, Hardware Gap, 4000 ft. (without flowers), 

 Harris ! Fl. Jam. 10,114. North temperate and arctic zones ; introduced 

 in the south. 



Stem very variable in height, low-growing to 5 dm. Leaves 1-5 to 

 5 cm. 1. 



